Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-11-04
HOW THE COLONEL Died.

"That is a SHE'LL" he remarked
quietly "and it fell within half a
mile OF this house."
The children screamed, and their
mother turned pale.
"Are we in much dangerp she
asked.
"That is a hard question to an
swer, replied the Colonel, "but l
do not mind saying that we should
prepare for the worst. / have often
told you about the Smelling of Vera
Cruz. We poured hot fire into
the city, but when we entered it, |
was surprised to End how few We
had killed.
"But grandpa" said little Tom
my, "yOu did kill some, didn't
YOU"
"Oh, yes" answered the old man,
"quite q number of citizens were
killed. After the surrender | saw
blood-stains on the walls of my
room. 1t seems that a whole fam
ly had been killed there"
At this Tommy set up dOleful
bowl, which was swelled by cho-
rus from the other children.
''But this is nOthing,r said the
Colonel rising from his chair and
goiog to the window. awe must
expect a few shells. Possibly there
will be siege, but it can not last
long. You know that our policy is
to draw the enemy this way. We
want to get the invaders as far as
possible from their base Of sup
plies.'
ayes, | see,' replied his daughter
thOughtfully, "but don't you think
that we have drawn the enemy far
enough in this direction :"
"Ah," said the veteran with
smile, "you do not understand the
Fabian policy. Now, II
"If we lie ID the Yankees on IN
til they cover the country said the
lady, sit seems to me that they will
have the best of it."
Nonsense ~ blurted out the Col
onel. "You women know nothing
OF the art of war, and it is well that
you don't. Never make such a re-
mark again. One would think to
hear you talk that you we're dis
loyal to the Confederacy."
"Of course you know BEST" re-
spOnded the little woman meekly,
sit is all a horrible business to me,
and | hope that it will soon be
over. But how are we to protect
ourselves from the shells n
Leave that to me-" answered
the Colonel. 'My experience at
Vera Cruz is worth something
The Mexicans dug pits, with bomb
proofs, and the women and chill
dren found them very good shell
tiers. | am going to have one dug
at Once.r
In spite of his years-he was just
7G-the old gentleman left the room
with the brisk step Of a man who
proposed to take hand in the de-
Tense Of the city.
The residence Of the Colonel was
an old fashioned mansion in a re-
tired quarter of the town. The
prospect of siege created the
widest excitement, and in a short
time people could be seen in every
direction engaged in digging bomb
proofs.
Under the Colonels instructions
a large pit was dug in the shape of
an a." 1t was not ready for occu-
patton until the following day, bat
when it was finished its hill-shaped
top, covered with alternate layers
of clay, cord wood and bar iron,
inspired confidence.
For six weeks the little family
had to occupy this underground re-
treat a good portion of the time
Sometimes a rain. Of shells would
arouse them in their slumbers in the
house, and all would rush precipi-
lately to the cave.
All except the Colonel. The Mex
lean war veteran showed no alarm.
When be went into the dug.Out he
always made 1t a point to say that
he was there merely to keep his
daughter and grand. children from
feeling uneasy.
at is a waste of time to lay siege
to this city," he said one day. "Our
position is almost impres nable, and
in a few days reinforcements will
arrive. | really pity the Yankees.
They do not know what is before
them. 1 expect any day to see
them completely routed, and, most
Of them will be taken prisoners"
The fire of the besIegers grew hot
ter and hotter, and the inmates of
the COloneps household held no
communication whatever with the
outside world. Fortunately they
were well provlsiOned, and were
able to live in fairly comfortable
way.
Every morning the daily paper.
a half sheet printed on wall paper,
was thrown over the gate.
The Colonel always went himself
to pick mp this interesting journal.
He would not allow servant to
run the risk of encounteriDg a
stray shell.
It ,ras N o;o,I,t 20 600 thia ,rh;to